Page 34 of Lie for a Million

Lila sipped her Coke but ignored the fries. “Let’s just get this over with,” she said. “I accept that the baby you’re carrying is my late husband’s. If it’s money you want, tell me what you expect, and we’ll take it from there. Frank wouldn’t want his child to go without. But you must understand there are limits. You’re not going to get rich just for sleeping with a married man.”

Crystal selected a fry, swirled it in the ketchup, and ate it. Her expression revealed nothing.

“What is it?” Lila asked. “Are you thinking you want to terminate your pregnancy?”

“No! Heavens, no!” Crystal showed emotion for the first time. “I loved Frank, and I love our baby. I want him—or her—to have a good life. A better life than I can provide.”

“I can’t help you if I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Lila said. “Suppose you tell me.”

“I will, if you’ll listen.” Crystal nibbled another fry.

“All right, I’m listening. Go ahead.”

“You probably think I’m just a bimbo,” Crystal said. “But I’m smarter than I look. I’ve done my homework. I happen to know that you’re fighting Frank’s kids for your ranch. They’re claiming that you’re not entitled to stay there because you didn’t give Frank any children.”

Shocked, Lila stared across the table at her rival. “How did you—?”

“Let’s just say that I got lucky. I work as a hostess at Jackalope’s, usually the afternoon shift. Most of the customers are men. Some are just looking for peace and quiet. Others want to talk about their troubles—their jobs, their marriages, whatever. If I have time, I’ll listen.”

Crystal dipped another fry in the ketchup, gazed at it thoughtfully, and left it there. “Your lawyer stepson is a regular in the afternoon. Mostly he just drinks and then leaves. But when I realized who he was, I started paying him extra attention, encouraging him to talk. It took a little time, but I finally got the story out of him.”

Lila stirred the ice in her drink, her thoughts scrambling.That’s not surprising, she told herself. Darrin was never the sharpest pencil in the pack. Still, it was hard to believe that he would share such private information with an attractive stranger in a bar. Maybe he’d had too much to drink.

Whatever the reason, Lila had underestimated the woman who sat across the table with a triumphant gleam in her eye. Crystal Carter was an adversary to be reckoned with.

“I’ve heard enough,” Lila said. “Just cut to the chase and tell me what you want.”

“All right,” Crystal said. “As I told you, I want the best life for my baby. I also know that you’d do anything to keep from losing your ranch. So here’s what I’m proposing.” She paused, taking a breath. “How much would it be worth to you to adopt Frank’s child?”

Lila stared at her, stunned into silence.

“Think about it,” Crystal said. “You’d be adopting a Culhane, a child who could continue Frank’s bloodline. And with the baby legally yours, Frank’s other children would have no case. I’m due in February. That should give you plenty of time to make the arrangements.”

“Wait—” Lila found her voice. “I need to understand. Your question—you asked me how much it would be worth.”

Crystal nodded. “That’s right. I’m thinking a million dollars. I know you’re good for it.”

The clamor of sound in the dining room coalesced into a roar that filled Lila’s head. How could she process this now? She forced herself to speak.

“You mean to say that you’re offering to sell your baby? That’s illegal. It’s also wrong.”

Crystal shrugged. “So are a lot of other things. But this is a win-win situation. The baby gets a good home. You get your genuine Culhane heir. And for my part, I deserve something, too. Take it or leave it.”

“And if I say no? If I refuse to take part in this travesty?”

“Then I’ll decide what to do. I can’t picture myself as a good mother. But if I decide not to have this baby, I’ll need to make arrangements soon. I can’t wait months for you to make up your mind. If it’s yes, I’ll need a down payment now and the rest when the baby comes. If it’s no . . .” Crystal let the implication hang.

Lila opened her purse and whipped out her checkbook and a pen. “This isn’t a down payment. For the welfare of the baby, I was prepared to pay for your basic expenses and set up a trust fund for when he—or she—is older. I’m giving you fifteen thousand to start—enough for a health checkup, some vitamins, a decent place to rent if you need it, and a cheap used car to replace that death trap you’re driving.”

“What about the rest?” Crystal’s disappointment showed in her pretty, painted face.

“The rest?” Lila gave her a sharp look.

“You know, the adoption and all.” For the first time, she sounded uncertain.

“I’m still thinking about that.” Lila pushed the check across the table and slid out of the booth. “Meanwhile, if I find out you’ve had an abortion, you’ll never get another cent from me. Understand?”

Crystal nodded.

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